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A Vibrant Platform At The Service Of Cluster Organisations

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) is an action of the Cluster Internationalisation Programme for SMEs funded under COSME launched by DG GROW of the European Commission in 2016.
The ECCP provides networking and information support for clusters and their members aiming to improve their performance and increase their competitiveness through trans-national and international cooperation.

About Cluster Organisations

This is the stage on which cluster organisations present themselves - their structures, services, experiences and above all, their interest in cooperation with peers. We invite you to explore this diverse cluster community, identify your potential cooperation partner and show the world what you are good at - by profiling your organisation !

What is ESCP-S3 ?

The European Strategic Cluster Partnerships for smart specialisation investments (ESCP-S3) are transnational cluster partnerships that support cluster cooperation in thematic areas related to regional smart specialisation strategies and to increase the involvement of the industry in the context of the Smart Specialisation Platform for Industrial Modernisation.

What is ESCP-4i?

The European Strategic Cluster Partnerships – Going International (ESCPs-4i) are transnational cluster partnerships that develop and implement a joint internationalination strategy and support SME internationalisation towards third countries beyond Europe.

What are ESCPs ?

The European Strategic Cluster Partnerships have been launched by the European Commission as effective means of supporting cross-border collaboration for the benefit of SMEs with the ultimate goal of boosting economic growth and competitiveness in Europe.

About matchmaking events

ECCP organises inter-European matchmaking events, as well as opportunities for you to meet your peers from other countries – either in EU or abroad. Find also additional international matchmaking opportunities promoted here.

About European Cluster Initiatives

As an information hub, ECCP collects and structures a wide variety of information relevant for cluster organisations from various European programmes and initiatives like the ones below.
These are supporting in different ways the interaction between clusters and for driving the competitiveness of European businesses. We offer you here the unique opportunity to find out more about the most relevant cluster-related projects and what you can learn from them. Or, why not, cooperate with them!

Regional Cluster conference was held in Varna

Regional cluster meeting "Innovative Growth through Cluster Cooperation" was held on 6 of July in Varna.

The event was organized by Marine Cluster Bulgaria together with Green Synergy Cluster and theAssociation of Business clusters and was aimed at bringing together cluster managers and representatives of institutions and businesses to discuss cluster policies, funding opportunities, and possible cooperations.

The program was divided into two main topics: "Innovative Growth: New Business Opportunities" and "Financial Support for Clusters". The first part presented Cluster Practices in Determining the Innovative Needs of SMEs within the cluster cooperation project in South East Europe - BLUE NET.

The opportunities of the ‘Enterprise Europe Network’Bulgaria: Prospects, Competitiveness and Innovation without Borders were presented, and then was given a good example of an innovative company Sea Harmony- a company from Varna that has developed innovation for artificial reefs.

Representative of the Bulgarian Furniture Cluster acquainted the participants with the project FORESDA – project that supports the transformation of traditional forest-based industries into sustainable manufacturing areas by an innovative cross-sectoral and transnational approach.

The regional cluster meeting continued with the topic of clusters’ sustainability and a systematic approach to achieve cluster excellence presented through the TRACE-KEI project. The main objectives of the project for achieving cluster excellence and the ways to achieve them were presented:

Enhancement of partners' management capacity by attending trainings, seminars and meetings with developed clusters

Build and update long-term cluster strategies

Developing new and improving existing services offered to cluster members by analyzing their needs and expectations

Strengthen regional cluster development policies and initiatives by involving institutions at regional and national level

The regional cluster meeting continued with the topicfor cluster sustainability and representing a systematic approach to achieve cluster excellence presented through the TRACE-KEI project. The main objectives of the project for achieving cluster excellence were presented:

Enhancement of partners' management capacity by attending trainings, seminars and meetings with developed clusters

Build and update long-term cluster strategies

Developing new and improving existing services offered to cluster members by analyzing their needs and expectations

Strengthen regional cluster development policies and initiatives by involving institutions at regional and national level

•Cluster organizations are crucial to the implementation of smart specialization strategies;

•Special support, new initiatives and sustainable partnerships are needed to improve cooperation in specific areas;

In the last part of the conference, representative of ABC presented news from European Cluster Development Policy and what mechanism will be used for cluster benchmarking.

The upcoming call for innovative clusters under OPIC, which is expected to be open by the end of the year, was also discussed – a suggestions and some concerns were written down for optimizing the submission procedure and the guidelines.